Lost Trail Road is a 15.8 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Marble, Colorado that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from June until September. Dogs are also able to use this trail.
dog friendly
birding
hiking
nature trips
off road driving
snowshoeing
trail running
walking
forest
views
wild flowers
wildlife
Directions from Carbondale: Travel south on Hwy. 133 25 miles from Carbondale. Turn left on County Road 3 into the town of Marble. Travel past Beaver Lake on the 4WD road. One mile beyond the lake, take road #315, or Lead King Basin jeep trail, to the left of the stream crossing. Park at the trailhead.
Went up on a Mother's Day hike to the Crystal Mill taking the low road in. I let the ladies return the same way, but I completed the Lead King Loop which goes up this road. Above 10,500ft things were still pretty snow-covered. Not impossible without, but wished I had brought my snowshoes. Feet got really wet, glad I brought extra pairs of socks.
The road was completely obscured by snow near the top, so I got a little lost and followed the Silver Creek watershed too far up, had to backtrack. Wasn't too hard.
Many creek crossings, maybe 6-7. I did see fresh bear tracks in the snow and mud about 1.5 miles up into Lead King Basin from the town of Crystal.
All in all, a beautiful hike despite the challenges and discomforts of the early springtime.